Man Utd handed huge fitness boost ahead of Tottenham clash
By Tom Gott
Bruno Fernandes has been named in Manchester United's travelling squad for Thursday's trip to Tottenham.
The midfielder turned his ankle during the FA Cup semi-final victory over Brighton and was previously described as a 'question mark' by manager Erik ten Hag during his pre-match press conference.
Ten Hag was adamant that Fernandes would be given the chance to prove his fitness before a decision on his involvement would be made, and the Portugal international appears to have succeeded after being included in United's travelling squad.
Just how fit Fernandes actually is remains to be seen. Having missed training in the build-up to the game, the 28-year-old, who was targeted by Tottenham before his move to United, may be forced to accept a role on the bench.
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United are already without centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, midfielders Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek, and winger Alejandro Garnacho, the latter of whom is back in training as he nears a return from an ankle injury.
"Alejandro is not ready for the game," Ten Hag told MUTV.
"Scott, we have to wait a little bit longer, I fear. But I am sure they are all motivated to be back as soon as possible as we play a lot of ‘finals’, huge games and, in the end, we know what is going on then."
Victory over Tottenham would see United strengthen their grip on fourth place in the Premier League table. Aston Villa and Liverpool are ramping up the pressure but United have games in hand over both teams and remain in comfortable control of their own destiny.
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On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders & Rob Blanchette discuss Man Utd's progress to the FA Cup final following a penalty shootout win over Brighton, and Thursday's crucial Premier League trip to Spurs.
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